Why?
22.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS. Through the magic powers of time and not shaving, you can raise some money to help. That's why. You have the privilege and the opportunity to do something silly and translate that into the bettering of people's lives.
Does this change anything? Probably not (
though see here for another view). If everything else stays the same, but more money as thrown at the problem, I doubt the epidemic will go anywhere. But regardless, change is slow, and this money is going to alleviate some of the immediate pressures that organizations and people are facing.
And all you have to do is grow some sideburns.
Women are 2.5 times more likely than men to contract HIV.
They are also twice as likely to contract a Sexualy Transmitted Infection (STI) from their partners' actions than from their own. There are a lot of things that men can do to help turn the tide of HIV/AIDS, but nothing is more important than taking responsibility for their role. We're growing our sideburns out as a way to bring some attention to these issues, and to demonstrate a willingness to upset these gender imbalances - trust me, we're not doing this to look good, because we sure as hell don't. Creepy is a much better word.
Where does the money go?
The grassroots organizations that the Stephen Lewis Foundation works with are pioneering effective and sophisticated responses to HIV and AIDS in their communities. Since 2003, the Foundation has funded more than 300 grassroots projects in 15 countries to support the ordinary people - grandmothers, women and children - who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic.
Read More
